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I was looking for ways to get fitter and I know the answer is exercise, however I was looking for suggestions of things that are fun and could be done around the house (not costly like gym membership) What fun exercises do you do? I want things I can do on my own, I can't always find people to exercise or have fun with so one person games/things would be more helpful. Thanks for any suggestions:)
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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I personally love Dance Dance Revolution. I play in on my PS2, but i think they have it for other game systems. There are multiple versions, and they even have a workout mode that tracks how many calories you've burned and how long you've been doing it.
I've also been thinking about workout videos. They have them for all sorts of things, like tai-bo, and jazzercise, and everything. Even bellydancing!! There is always yoga, too, which gets you nice and stretched out, and can help with toning, too. And it's so relaxing!
And there is always the option of blasting fun music and just dancing around the house It's a lot cheaper, and you can definitly work up quite a sweat dancing arounf for half an hour.
posted
Thanks for answering:) I've been browsing through other posts and read about DDR, it sounds really fun! Yoga tones? I thought yoga was umm...breathing? I did look into yoga before but I thought it was more of a mental or meditation thing and so I didn't try it. lol I like the idea of dancing around the best:D Thanks
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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Well, I live on my bike. I have really weak ankles so running hurts besides the bouncing up and down gives me those awful stomach cramps... And it's really therapeutic to just listen to music and ride for awhile.
Posts: 401 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2007
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Yoga does focus on breathing, but it's also about stretching and holding your body in certain positions. Google, say, "warrior pose" which is one of the basic starting points in yoga and you'll see what I mean. It takes some power in your arms and thighs to hold yourself like that. I've taken yoga classes before and you definately walk away feeling like you've had a workout. Too, if you're stressed out, a good, stretchy yoga session can do wonders. I'm certain there are yoga videos out there.
If you're more into fast movements and the slower ones of yoga don't sound like your thing, you could also consider pilates, which focuses mainly on strengthening and toning your tummy and legs. I have a couple Windsor Pilates tapes (I think they were fairly cheap: there's a 60 minute one and a 20 minute one for when you're in a hurry) and they're pretty pleasant to do on my own.
Posts: 24 | From: MI | Registered: Jul 2007
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As well, there are forms of yoga -- like flow yoga, ashtanga and kundalini -- which are faster, rather than about holding poses, which are more about constant flow. They're very aerobic and movement based, rather than hatha yoga, which is more about developing strength by holding a pose.
When I moved to Seattle, I tried dealing with a gym, but I was just too spoiled by martial arts and boxing gyms, which are more spartan, often with plenty of windows, and good lord, without televisions and flourescent lighting. I can use an ipod to drown out noise in gyms, but I can't blindfold myself to not see the lighting and a million TVs everywhere. For me, part of working out is for my mental health, and I need a nice environment. So, I'm 100% home-based our outdoors-based in my workouts.
I have a heavy bag at home for boxing, I have rugs in two rooms ready for yoga, like hs123, I'm a big biker, and something else I'd also suggest for you is hula-hooping. I mostly do it for fun, but the new hoops are weighted, and hooping is awesome for your core muscles and hips, as well as for your coordination. It can also get very aerobic, and if you move the hoop up to your arms, you can get a good workout there as well. Plus, you can bring a hoop to public parks, to the beach, what have you. In the summer, I often hoop in my backyard in the morning, which tends to cause my partner to poke fun at me, since it swears no one else hoops with a cup of coffee in their hand.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63426 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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Thanks for all of the ideas. I love bike riding as well, and wanted to do that again but where I live right now I don't know where I would go exactly...or maybe just ride down a road for 30 mins and then ride back home? I might try pilates or yoga if I can keep up with those... When I was younger I used to be very active (walking, riding bike, playing sports with other kids but still never lost weight or anything...why might that be? Do I just not lose weight?) And I have been told by a doctor that I needed to lose weight but no matter what I did I never lost weight...
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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Well, so long as you eat well -- and by that, I mean healthfully -- and stay moderately active, it really is unlikely you need to worry about your weight. What we weigh really is mostly about our genetics, which we can't change. But, while I don't know about your size or body type -- people of all weights can be healthy and fit for the most part. So, if your doc isn't telling you that, I'd take that advice with a grain of salt. Plus, what we weigh in pounds often isn't a good way of determining our health and fitness; I'm one of those people, for instance, who builds muscle mass very easily and thickly, so at my most fit, I often will weigh more than I do when I'm out-of-shape.
In terms of biking, I unfortunately moved to a city a couple years ago which is not as bike-friendly as the two I lived in before. So, I'm not very comfortable riding on street here, even helmeted and even with bike lanes on some streets. Plus, it's not relaxing for me to be yelled at by jerks in cars for having the audacity not to be driving.
But a lot of places have some trails, and what I do here which might work for you is to do my warmup riding on sidestreets, and then take those to a bike path or trail. It usually means some winding around rather than direct routes, but since I like riding, it's not a chore.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63426 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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Thanks, yeah a doctor told me that and then I told another doctor in the same office on another visit...oddly that other doctor did not confirm if I should lose weight or if I was healthy already...but I think the other doctor got in trouble for saying that...(I'm not sure) yea I don't know if I will be able to ride my bike on the road, I told my mom and she said no because theres no sidewalk and I'd be riding on the road and pose a safety risk. Also apparently someone might kidnap me or something... I know how much I weigh and don't like it...but I actually think alot of my weight is muscle (especially from when I was younger) I used to have more places to ride bike where I lived so I did that nearly all day long (I loved riding bike!)...and other activities. How do you know if its fat or muscle?
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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Well, you can pretty much feel the difference in your body, and also tell with your hands. You can flex muscle, for instance. But you can also feel when you're fit and healthy: if you're tired all the time, really low energy, if when you eat, you don't feel nourished but weighed down, if you aren't craving activity, don't feel alert and the like, then it's likely you want to look to your diet -- again, more what you eat than how much -- and your activity. Fitness and sound health in that way certainly aren't the only things to look at, but they're always a good place to start.
But there are also tests to figure out your muscle-to-fat ration, and a doctor telling anyone to lose weight should certainly be doing those, rather than just weighing you, before advising weight loss.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63426 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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thanks, I'm not going to worry about my weight (its just a #) but I'd still like to exercise more this year anyways. I found it odd and rude how my doctor said I needed to exercise and lose weight when she never asked me about my diet or other things...I think I might be overweight now and less active but at that time I really wasn't inactive and I eat well. I think part of my thing is that I might have big bones, I probably can't explain it but I just seem to have big bones. For example I cannot wear ankle bracelets without an extension. My ankles are thick and its not really fat but more just tight skin...same with my wrists. Also I've had other doctors than that one and none told me I should lose weight and nope no doctor ever tested me for muscle fat ratio so I don't know... Thanks for your time and help, I appreciate it:)
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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Some people do have bigger frames. No need to explain that, as frame size varies between people.
For instance, I'm short, but calling me petite no matter what I weigh would never make much sense since I, too, am substantial in the bone department -- everyone on one side of my family is -- which is why a lot of people won't notice a difference with how I look whether I weigh twenty pounds more or less. Even when I once became very ill and dipped to a scary-low weight for pretty much anyone, I still looked pretty sturdy.
You're right: it is just a number. It's how you feel, in our body -- not just looking at it -- that's the biggest thing to pay attention to, and we really can do that all by ourselves.
And exercising more regularly is pretty much always a good thing, unless you get obsessive about it or don't eat enough to sustain your body for that activity. No harm done in getting more active.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63426 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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DDR is amazing really, its the most fun form of exercise i've ever done and its fun trying to get your high scores you could always invest in a trampoline, always a good laugh
Posts: 89 | From: Camden | Registered: Jan 2008
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Just thought I'd add... I bought WiiFit today, and if you have a wii, it would be a great investment! Already I'm having so much fun because not only are the exercises challenging, they're just hilarious! You can even go on a "jog" (you run in place with the wii remote in your pocket) with a friend. My favourite is the hula hoop game where you rotate your hips while standing on the balance board.
I also agree that DDR is the best. The only downside is that if you have carpeting, the mat WILL slide around and you can trip on it, so be careful!
Posts: 206 | From: Canada | Registered: Mar 2008
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What about swimming? I'm not sure how costly it would be. I really love to swim, especially if I cycle there and back - it's something which is 'my time' if you know what I mean. What do you enjoy doing? If you like walking, what about finding some new parks or open places near you to go for a walk in? Again, you could cycle there so maybe go further than you'd be able to if you were just walking!
You mentioned not knowing where to cycle to - sometimes I just like going - no destination, no end point, a whole afternoon to explore. It's really fun, that sense of independance.
Heather - as for the hoolahooping - I do the whole drink/ kind of dancing/ walking around hulahooping... it's fun Posts: 79 | From: England | Registered: Dec 2007
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I agree with DDR and the Wiifit things. Another idea may be for you to just pop in a movie and get a tread mill or whatnot and use it while you're watchin the movie. Many people exercise while they're watching t.v. Or, just have sex at least 2 times a week. In all seriousness, sex may be the best exercise there is out there. You burn a butt-load of calories in just an hour of sex. Posts: 13 | From: Pittsburgh | Registered: May 2008
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I do like the DDR and Wii idea...both seem to be a great investment and sound fun! I'd like to bike ride but theres like no trails or anything around here so I'd be on the main road...and I'd have to get a helmet right? When I was younger I did have a helmet eventually but I was so used to riding without one that I rarely used it...
Posts: 50 | From: United States | Registered: May 2008
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Here's some other ideas I have used when wanting to get back in shape.
Jumping rope is good, because you build muscle and get cardio from all the jumping. And they aren't all that expensive
If you're looking to just burn a few calories while your bored, get up and walk in circles around your room/house/yard when you talk on the phone. I love doing that and since I can sometimes talk for hours, it makes a difference.
Good luck getting active Posts: 8 | From: Morristown, Tennessee | Registered: May 2008
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It's a lot cheaper, and you can definitly work up quite a sweat dancing arounf for half an hour.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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